Combination electrical connecter and fixture-supporting device



June 29 1926.

- 1,590,512 C. L. HOPKINS v QOMBINATION ELECTRICAL CONNECTER AND FIXTURE SUPPORTIN G DEVICE '3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 25, 1930- June 29 1926. 1,590,512

C. L. HOPKINS COMBINATION ELECTRICAL CONNECTER AND FIXTURE SUPPORTING DEVICE Fil ed Oct. 23, 1920 QSheets-Sheet 2 I June 29 1926. 1,590,512

(.3 L. HOPKINS COMBINATION ELECTRICAL CONNECTER AND FIXTURE SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed 061;. 25} 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented June 29, 1926.

UNITED STATES.

1,520,512 PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES L. HOPKINS, OF RIVER FOREST, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO BENJAMIN ELEC- TRIO MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

COMBINATION ELECTRICAL CONNECTEB AND FIXTURE-SUPPORTING DEVICE.

Application filed October 23, 1920. Serial- No. 419,147.

My invention relates to electrical connecter devices, and more particularly to a. combination electrical connecter and fixture supporting device.

In electrical installation in buildings it is desirable that the fixtures may be read ly and quickly disconnected or connected with respect to the outlet Without making any soldered connections, taped joints, etc., in order. among other'things, that if desired a fixture of one type may be disconnected and replaced by a different type of fixture. It is also desirable that the fixture connecting support will cooperate properly with the receptacles which are constructed to receive an attachment plug cap, so that wherever there is a receptacle which will receive an attachment plug ca a fixture may be connected if desired.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a combined electrical connecter and fixture device which will enable these results to be accomplished in a satisfactory manner.

' A further object .is to provide such a device which will be durable and eflicient in use, simple and compact in construction and cheap to manufacture.

Further objects will appear from the detailed description to follow and from the appended claims.

In the drawings in which I have shown several embodiments of my invention Fig. 1 is a vertical axial section showing a receptacle and fixture supporting device for a ceiling fixture;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of areceptacle shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the receptacle shown in Fig. 1 with the-ornamental cover plate and the porcelain cover of the receptacle removed;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 44 of Fig. 1

Fig. 5 is a vertical axial section of a receptacle and fixture support for a ceiling fixture showing another form of my inven tion;

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 66 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a vertical axial view showing another form of support for a ceiling fixture;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a threaded connecter ring shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a vertical axial section of a re-' tceptacle and fixture support for a wall fixure; a

Fig. 10 is a rear elevational view of the plug-in part shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a front elevational View of the part shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a vertical axial sectional View showing a different form of fixture secured to the fixture supporting device, and

Fig. 13 is a vertical axial sectional View showing still another form of fixture.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the construction shown therein comprises in a general way a receptacle 20 of such con struction that it will cooperate properly with the cap of an ordinary attachment plug, and a combination electrical connec-- ter and fixture supporting device 21, having contact blades 22 for engagement with the contacts 23 of the receptacle 20, and having a hook 24 for supporting a ceiling fixture.

For mechanically connecting the fixture supporting device 21 in place with respect to the receptacle 20, the cover 25 of the outlet'box 26 is provided with a screw-threaded neck 27 into which is threaded a sheet metal cup member 28 in which the connecter device 21 is seated and with which it has a swivel engagement.

I obtain a compact, flush structure for the receptacle part by making the receptacle extend into the threaded neck 27. That part of the receptacle 20 which projects into the neck 27 is spaced slightly from the neck to afford clearance for the entry of the threaded portion of the cup 28.

In using the connecter and fixture supporting device the fixture is wired and the wires for the fixture are threaded through the aligned openings 29 and 30 of the fixture support, and are secured to the wiring terminals for the contact blades 22. The fixture. is then secured to the hook 2d and the blades 22 are brought into position to enter the openings leading to the, receptacle contacts 23. The swiveled cup 28 is screwed into the threaded neck 27 to mechanically connect the fixture support with respect to the receptacle, and to cause the contact blades 22 to engage the receptacle contacts 23. The screwing in of the cup 28 holds the parts firmly and securely in the proper relative position.

'Referring now to details of the construction, the receptacle 20 comprises an insulating base 31 on which the receptacle contacts 23 and wiring terminals 32 (Fig. 3) are mounted, and an insulating cover 33 having recesses 34 to accommodate the receptacle contacts 23 and having restricted entrance openings 35 for the entrance of the contact blades 22. For securing the cover 33 in place on the base 31 a central screw 36 is provided which extends through aligned openings in the base and cover. For securing the wiring terminals 32 in position on the insulating base 31, a plurality of screws 37 are provided, which extend through openings in the base 31 and are threaded into the binding plates of the wiring terminals. Rivets 38 are provided for securing the contacts 23 to the binding plates of the wiring terminals 32. In order to provide a passage for the feed wires to the wiring terminals 32 of the receptacle, the insulating base 31 is provided with a pair of openings 38. The cover 25 of the outlet box 39 may be secured in place by means of a pair of screws 40 extending through openings in the cover and threaded into lugs 41. on the outlet box. An ornamental cover plate 42 may be provided which may be secured to the cover 25 by means of a pair of screws 43. The insulating base 31 may be secured in .place in the outlet box by means of a pair of screws 44 (Figs. 3 and 4) extending through openings in this insulating base and threaded into the cover 25 of the outlet box.

The fixture supporting device 21 comprises an insulating base 45, on which the contact blades 22 are mounted, and a casting 46 on' which the hook 24 is formed, this casting having a base portion which seats against a flange 47 of the swiveled threaded cup 28. ,As can be seen froman inspection of Figs. 1 and 2, when the connecter and fixture supporting device is unscrewed from the receptacle, the receptacle presents a flush appearance, as the outer portion of the cover 33 of the receptacle will be substantially flush with the outer face of the finishing plate 42, whereby a neat appearance is secured, the appearance being substantially that of the flush receptacles now in use for wall receptacles.

In Figs. 5, 6 and 8 I have shown a form of my invention suitable for use with a shallow outlet box which is not deep enough to receive and house a receptacle such as is shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive. In this form the fixed threaded connecter member 48 extends outwardly from the cover 49 of the shallow outlet box 50, the cover members 51 of the receptacle 52. also extending outwardly from the cover 49 and being surrounded by the fixed threaded connecter ring 48. The finishing cover 53 in this form extends outwardly away from the outlet box cover 49 so that its outer face is substantial- In this form the fixed threaded connecter ring 48 is separate from the outlet box 49, as shown in Fig. 8, the. threaded ring having an outwardly extending annular flange 55 which rests on the inner face of the outlet box cover 49, the flange being clamped and held in place between the insulating base 56 of the receptacle 52 and the inner faceof the outlet box cover 49. The insulating base 56 is secured in place in the outlet box by means of a pair of screws 57 (Fig. 6) which extends through openings in the base and are threaded into the cover 49 ,of the outlet box. When the insulating base 56 is screwed ontothe outlet box cover 49 the flange 55 of the threaded connecter member 48 is firmly clamped in position. In order to prevent the threaded shell connecter member 48 from turning in the opening in the outlet box cover 49, the connecter member 48 is provided with a pair of upwardly extending cars 58 which extend into cooperating recesses 59 in the insulating base 56. The connecter and fixture supporting member 21, the receptacle cover 23, and the threaded supporting cup 28 may be the same as in the form previously described. The ornamental cover 53 is secured to the outlet box cover 49 by means of a pair of screws 6O extending through openings in the ornamental cover and threaded into the outlet box cover. secured to the outlet box by means of a pair of screws 61 extending through openings in the cover and threaded into ears 62 struck inwardly from the outlet box 50.

The connecterand fixture supporting device 21 is connected with the fixture and secured' in position with respect to the receptacle in the same manner as in the. form previously described.

If desired, the fixture supporting member 21 may be extended downwardly as indicated in dotted lines at 63 and an ornamental canopy 64 may be slipped over this extended portion and secured in place by means of a supporting ring 65 which is secured onto the extension 53 by means of a set screw 66. In this construction the ornamentalcover 53 would be dispensed with as its place would be taken by the ornamental canopy 64.

The outlet box cover itself is InFig. 7 I have shown a form of my invention in which the fixture supporting device 67 is designed for use with a fixture which is supported by a tubular stem 68 which may be threaded into the casting 69 porting stem 68,

' 71 may be secured in place on the finishing sleeve "70. Otherwise the construction and use of the device may be the same as in the form previously described, the fixture be ing wired, the wires being drawn up through the fixture supporting stem 68, and secured y to' the wiring terminals of the connecter and fixture supporting member 69, and' the supporting device being secured in position with respect to the receptacle by screwing in the threaded cup 28. r

In Figs. 9, and 11, I have shown aform of my invention suitable for use in connection with a wall receptacle and wall fixture. Inthis form of my invention the fixture supporting member 72 has an upwardly extending post 7 3 mounted thereon I to which the "fixture 74 may be secured by means of a horizontally extending strap 75 secured to the canopy 76. The threaded swiveled connecting ring 28 screws into the opening in' the'cover" 77 of the outlet box 78. In order to providea suitable connection for the threaded cup 28 the edge of the opening into which it is screwed is formed in helical shape by splitting the cover 77 at one point along the edge of the opening and bending the plate on one side" of this slit outwardly and on the other side inwardly, and' forming the edge of the opening into helical shape for engagement with the helical threads of the threaded cup-shaped member 28, as indicated'at 79 in Fig. 9. Otherwise the construction is quite similar to the construction previously described, the cover 77 being secured in place on theoutletbox 78 by means of screws 80, the receptacle 81' being secured in place 'onthe cover 77 by means of screws 82, and the finishing plate 83 being secured in place on the outlet box cover 77 by means of screws 84. The post 7 3 is secured to the insulating base 85 by means of a pair of screws 86 extending through openings in the insulating base threaded into the post.

' The insulating base 85 has mounted there on the contact blades 87 which extend into engagement with the contacts of the receptacle 81, suitable binding terminals 88 being provided for the wires electrically connected with the contact blades 87. These wires secured to the binding terminals 88may be led outwardly either through the central opening 89 and through the screw-threaded opening 90 (a further purpose. of which will be set forth hereinafter) in the. post 73. or throu h a pair ofside openings 91, and throug the 'stem 92 to the wiring terminals of the fixture 74. In this form also it will be noted that a flush construction is secured when the fixture supporting device is disconnected, by extending a portion of the receptacle into the fixed screwthreaded connecter member, clearance beand an ornamental canopy and the fixed threaded connecter member for the insertion of the detachable screw-threaded swivel connecter member.

. The wiring and connection of the fixture shown in this form is substantially the same as in the form previously described, the wiresfrom the fixture being connected with the binding terminals 88 of the fixture supporting member, member being then placed inposit1on for the contact blades 87 to enter into engage ment with the contacts of the receptacle81, and the, swivel screw-threaded connecter ring then being rotated on. the fixture supporting member to thread it into the openthe fixture supporting 1ng provided between the portion of ther vceptacle ing 1n the outlet box cover 77 to cause the contact blades 7 to enter'into engagement with the contacts of the receptacle 81 and to firmly secure'the fixture supporting member 72 in position with respect to the refixture 7 4 is then secured ceptacle 81. The in position on the fixture supporting member by slipping the, strap inback of the post '73.

'In the form of my invention :shown inf Fig. 12, Figs. 9, is secured to the fixture supporting member 72.by means of a screw 94 extending through an opening in the canopy 95, and threaded into the screw-threaded opening in the post 7 3 previously referred to.

In Fig. 13 I-have shown a construction in which the tubular stem 96 ofthe fixture is secureddirectly to the fixture supporting the construction is the same ,as in member 72 by means of an annular casting .ters Patent of the United States is:

e "1. The combination with a'receptacle, and a combination electrical connecter and fixture supporting device, of means for securing said combination device in position with respect to said receptacle comprising a fixed annular connecter member, and a detachable my invention, what I claim as'new and-desire to secure by-Let- 10 and 11, except that the fixture 93 annular connecter member for engagement with said fixed annular connecter member, said receptacle comprising a base portion, contacts mounted on said base portion, and a cover portion for said contacts, there being an annular recess between said base portion and cover portion to provide clearance for said annular connecter members. I

2. A flush receptacle construction having contacts and an insulating cover for said contacts having spaced apart openings affording accessto said vcontacts, a flat supporting plate in front of said receptacle and having a circular opening affording access to said receptacle, said receptacle cover having a circular face portion substantially flush with the face of the adjacent surrounding receptacle construction, the outer edge of said face portion being spaced from the in ner edge of said opening to afford an annular passage therebetween, means for electrically connecting a fixture withrespect to.

said-contacts, an exposed finishing plate in front of said receptacle having a flat portion surrounding said receptacle, and having a circular opening in said fiat portion affording access to said receptacle, said receptacle cover having a circular face portion substantially flush with said finishing plate, the outer edge of said face portion being spaced from the inner edge of-said plate opening to afford an annular passage therebetween, means for electrically connecting a fixture with respect to said receptacle comprising a plug-1n device having contact blades forentering the openings in. said insulating cover and engaging said receptacle contacts, and means for supporting a fixture in position with respect to said receptacle comprising a ring swiveled with respect to said plug-in device, the inner edge of said swivel ring entering said annular space and surrounding said circular face portion.

4. An outlet box, a receptacle in said outlet box, said receptacle having contacts, and an insulating cover for said contacts having spaced apart openings affording access to front of said supporting plate, both of said plates having registering circular openings affording access to sa-id'receptacle, said receptacle cover having a circular face portion substantially flush with said finishing plate, the outer edge of said face portion being spaced from the inner edge of said finishing plate to afford an annular passage therebetween, means for electrically connecting a fixture with respect to said receptacle com prising. a plug-in device having contact blades for entering the openings in said insulating cover and engaging said receptacle contacts, and means for supporting afixture in position with respect to said receptacle comprising a ring swiveled with respect to said plug-in device, the inner edge of said swivel ring entering said annular space and surrounding said circular face .portion engaging said supporting plate.

5. The combination with an outlet box, of

a supporting plate attached to said box, a

receptacle secured to one side of said plate, said plate having an opening, and said receptacle having a portion extending through said opening and having a face substantially flush with the face of the adjacent surrounding receptacle construction, the .receptacle having a plurality of recesses, electrical contacts in said recesses beyond the plane of the face of the receptacle, and a fixture supporting and connecting device comprising .an insulating base, contacts carried thereby adapted to enter said recesses for engagementwith the receptacle contacts, said fixture supporting and connecting device having means for effecting mechanical connection between itself and said supporting plate comprising a member having a movement of rotation about said insulating base and havingmeans extending through said plate and surrounding a portion of said'receptacle, said plate having means adapted to engage With said connecting member by said movement of rotation.

In Witnesswhereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

CHARLES L. HOPKINS. 

